With a total population of more than 1 million, Vijaywada is the 2nd most populated city of Andhra Pradesh and the 42nd most populated city of India with a literacy rate of 81 percent. Located at an elevation of 75 feet on the eastern side of the Coromandel coast, on the banks of the Krishna River, Vijaywada according to the local legend, is the Place of Victory” of Goddess Durga. Part of Krishna District, the city was earlier known as Bezwada and majority of the population speaks Telugu. As per the 2011 census, Krishna district has a total population of 4.5 million, the literacy rate is 74 percent and 45 percent belong to the working age. This includes the 57 percent engaged in the agriculture sector, 2 percent in the household industry and 41 percent that are employed services and industry. The city is a large trader and exporter of agriculture and industrial goods. The major sectors that contribute to the local economy are construction, education, entertainment, food processing, hospitality and transport. The traditional craft of handmade toys, made by the local artisans of Kondapalli, a suburb of Vijayawada, was granted the Geographical Indication in 2007.
